highwaystar

Maybe someone here can give me some guidance -

Having problems with my '01 Ranger (V6 4.0L) climate control. When the A/C is on (or compressor off for that matter), I get too much heat in the blend coming thru the vents (e.g. when temp control is at 12 o'clock, WAYYY too hot, only cools down when switch is turned to 10-8 o'clock). The result is not enough variability in cooling, not like it was for the last 2 years.

The A/C seems to be OK itself, very cold when temp switch is cranked all the way to the "cold" side.

I have been to the local dealer and a tech has verified that something is wrong, but four trips to get the problem fixed has resulted in nothing. The last trip got me a replaced controller cable, but the problem didn't go away. I am still under warranty until August.

Am I screwed? Is it too big of a job for them to want to take on under warranty (take out dash etc.), so maybe they are trying to blow me off? Should I give them another shot? There is another dealer in the area, but I'm loath to go in to a new place and have them start all over on this problem cold turkey.

Thanks for any advice or kind words...

highwaystar

Update: Dealer service mgr and tech were told that the latest "attempt" did not fix problem. The tech states that "they don't know how to fix it" but may be able to band-aid a fix by putting a restrictor in the line to the heater core

highwaystar

Update: Service rep called, told me that the Ford engineers said my temp difference was within the normal range. So there is nothing they can do for me. I am now severing my relationship with that dealership.

So what good is a F#@$#^ warranty anyway? I guess unless the vehicle is dead in the water, you're screwed if you want something fixed.

greenwienie

I have a 2000 Ranger. I have the same problem although I'm out of warranty. I know that the interior temperature dial worked proportionately for several years, but no longer works that way. The 12:00 position is too hot and 9:00 postion too cold. There no longer appears to be a "medium" temperature. I also own a F550 and the temperature dial work just like new. The F550 has 38,000 miles. The Ranger quit working properly at about 50,000 miles. I called the dealer and they said it could be any number if things. They said that the mixing circuit is now all electronic. Other cars I have owned used a simple valve to divert hot water towards the heater core. I plan to take a look at my ranger soon. If I find anything, I' pass it along. Sounds like it was time to move to another dealer. How do they stay in business treating people like this. I had a Nissan pick up and the rear brakes never worked properly. The dealer changed out every part in the system and the problem persisted. It was a design flaw. I changed out the master cylinder to one that was not proportional on the rear curcuit and the brakes began to work properly. I told the dealer about the solution, and they passed it along to Nissan. I got phone calls from lawyers with Nissan saying i couldn't do what I did, and I told them to go away. They had a design problem and didn't want to own up to it. I wonder if Ford has a design flaw in their heater control system, and that is why our systems don't work, and are "working within acceptable parameters."